The Lions’ new regime has talked all offseason about taking this franchise back to its roots and respecting its history. So, perhaps it’s only natural that they bring in the offspring of one of the most productive (and underrated) players in Detroit history.
On Thursday, according to multiple reports, the Lions agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal with receiver Breshad Perriman. He’s the son of Brett Perriman, who sits fourth on the team’s all-time receiving list with 5,244 yards.
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Of course, the Lions had multiple openings on the WR depth chart this offseason because Nos. 9 (Marvin Jones) and 15 (Kenny Golladay) in those career-receiving rankings hit free agency at the same time. Jones already has landed a deal with Jacksonville; Golladay appears to be closing in on one, either with the Giants or Bengals.
Between those departures, the loss of Jamal Agnew — also to the Jaguars — and Danny Amendola’s status as an unrestricted free agent, the Lions headed into the new league year needing several new faces at the same position. They picked up one, Tyrell Williams, after he was cut by the Raiders. Perriman makes two, and there’s a universe where it all could come together.
But the Lions will need Perriman, who hasn’t played a full 16 games since his rookie year of 2016, to stay somewhat healthy. When he has been, he’s been a big play waiting to happen, with a career yards per catch of 16.5.
How he fits: There’s still work to be done here. Among other issues, the Lions need a slot receiver — Tom Kennedy and Victor Bolden have a combined zero career catches; Geronimo Allison opted out of 2020 and has yet to play a snap for the Lions. They’re also still in a tenuous spot on the outside. Williams, off a shoulder injury that cost him all of ’20, and Perriman, who’s had significant issues staying healthy, will team with second-year option Quintez Cephus.
Again, though, if you squint hard enough you might be able to see some upside here — more so if the Lions spend a first- or second-round pick on a plug-and-play starting receiver, like Jaylen Waddle or DeVonta Smith. Williams always has been dangerous downfield. Perriman is, too.
From our Sheil Kapadia, who had Perriman ranked No. 80 among available free agents: “Perriman could be attractive to teams looking for a low-cost, field-stretching option.”
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Detroit now has two players who fit under that umbrella. That could be good news for incoming QB Jared Goff, whose best NFL season (2018) came when he had a strong run game paired with deep threat Brandin Cooks backing him. No one’s going to confuse Williams or Perriman with Cooks — nor should they view them as a bargain Jones and Golladay — but Goff should be able to test defenses deep.
2021 impact: As with Williams, the Lions are giving the 27-year-old Perriman an opportunity to win a starting spot and, potentially, hit the free-agent market again next year on a high.
Maybe Perriman can’t shake his injury-prone reputation and this goes nowhere. In that case? Big deal. It’s a short-term contract for a reasonable amount of money. If the Lions get a motivated and healthy Perriman, though, there’s enough evidence to suggest he can be productive. Take his total numbers from the past two seasons and average them down to 16 games, and you get this: 41 receptions for 708 yards and six TDs.
The Lions would take that on a one-year flier.
Draft impact: There is none, other than perhaps downsizing any desperation Detroit might feel to chase multiple receivers. Cephus is the only player at that position signed beyond 2021, and it’s a pie-in-the-sky hope to bank on Williams and/or Perriman a) playing well throughout this season, then b) wanting to stick with the Lions long term. A lot would have to go right.
A primary focus with pick No. 7 should be on the top of this receiver class: Waddle, Smith, Ja’Marr Chase, maybe even Kyle Pitts if the Lions are counting him there. If it doesn’t happen in Round 1, there will be ample talented options in Round 2 and legitimate slot receivers down into Rounds 5 and 6.
Cap update: We’ll see on the structure — how much is guaranteed, if there’s a voidable year, etc. Even if the Lions guarantee Perriman’s full, reported $3.5 million (and they probably won’t given his injury history), it shouldn’t be too debilitating.
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They do have upward of $43 million tied up in dead money now, with Thursday’s release of backup QB Chase Daniel tacking on another $3 million. To this point, general manager Brad Holmes has done well to clear room without committing much of anything beyond 2021, but ripping off the Band-Aid limits the Lions’ options.
Hence, signing on the cheap a pair of receivers hoping to build their stock.
Outlook: They could sign 2012 Calvin Johnson and it might not be enough to get this team into contention next season. Rolling the dice on Perriman won’t get them there. That said, it does provide them with another viable starting-caliber option on the outside, and an intriguing one opposite Williams.
Perriman had the best game of his career at Ford Field two years ago (113 yards, three touchdowns). His dad was part of the only Lions team with a playoff win in the Super Bowl era. A little good mojo certainly can’t hurt.
(Photo: Vincent Carchietta / USA Today)
